Today, at the “Public Input” hearing in Olympia, another very clear message was sent to WDFW and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) senior leadership. Of the sportsmen that turned out for the hearing, everyone spoke directly or endorsed the message that the Secret Meetings must end. To the point, continuing to lock the doors in the public's face is generating greater distrust and animosity toward the Department at a time when the public’s support is needed more than ever. We found out that the 2018 season setting process will again rely on a joint (or piggy-backed) permitting process, that will require full agreement by the Tribal Co-managers. In other words, business as usual, same Tribal leverage. Of course, this also means that unless we win this fight, you, the non-tribal citizen will have no real seat at the table again as the doors will be locked in your face! There were some tantalizing comments made as well. For example, it was mentioned that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is reluctant to continue to provide a nexus to the Tribes so their permits will be fast tracked. This could result in a more level playing field, at least in the permitting process. Also, in speaking with an employee at the BIA, I was told that the current make-up of the participants at the WDFW/Tribal North of Falcon meetings, does not sound like it would rise to the level of a “Government to Government” designation, and should not be grounds for barring public oversight! Ummmmm? He added that if allocations of the non-tribal portion of salmon for Recreational and Non-Tribal commercials are discussed at these meetings, with Tribal members present, it may be illegal. I spoke to Lori Allen at the NWIFC. She acknowledged receipt of my request for a meeting with Chair Loomis. She told me that she would check Chair Loomis’ schedule and get back to me by the weeks end… looking forward to hearing from her. Tomorrow I’m meeting with Representative Liz Pike, 18th district. I intend to brief her on how destructive to our fisheries these secret meetings are and to ask for her help in ending them. Thank you all for the continued support and for getting the word out through social media and in person. Our strength is in our numbers and in our unity! WE WILL PREVAIL! Twitter @OpenNOF OpenNOF@Gmail.com